Essential Questions


1.) What events promoted Germany unity during the early 1800’s?
In the 1800’s the events that promoted Germany unity during the early 1800’s was the Germans had to deal with the French invading German States. The French Ruler was Napoleon. The Germans wanted to force the French off of their land. This was known as the Rhine Confederation. The Rhine Confederation was when the German States came together to get rid of Napoleon. (This worked but did not solve the issue). The issue was finally resolved at the Congress of Vienna when Metternich pointed out that Germany would have to dismantle Germany’s government. So then when Germany was granted The German Confederation. Another event that occurred was the Zolleverein which was the barrier of trade between German States.


2.) Explain the differences between a conservative and liberal during this time period?
The conservatives at this time were working together in the concert of Europe. They also supported the political and social order before Napoleon because at that time they benefited more. They wanted to restore the royal family’s right to the throne but still supported the social hierarchy when the lower classes respected the upper. They also only supported the catholic religion. Also at this time the liberals were bankers, lawyers, politicians, and more. They believed in written constitutions and the separation of power. They also did not believe in churches or religions which is one of the differences. They believed in liberty, equality, and property and favored a republican government over a monarchy. They basically created presidency because they believed in voting for their rulers.



3.) What was the Congress of Vienna? What is the balance of power? How does this effect the German State?
The congress of Vienna was the assembly of European leaders who met after the Napoleonic era from September 1814- June 1815. The balance of power was a system that disturbed the power to a state and made sure that no state gained to much power. This could affect the German States because Germany was worried that the other sates would gain more power then them and force them off their land. So Germany was worried that this would affect their power and control.


4.) How does the economic unti help bring about political unity?
The economic unity created the “Zollverein” which was the ability to dismantled tariffs between German States. “Tariffs are the taxation put on to imported goods. But Germany was still political fragment. In 1848, liberals held a meeting (Frankfurt Assembly) which demanded Germany to became a political unity. This offer was offered to King Fredrick William IV of Prussia. He refused.



5.) Explain Realpolikitic and provide examples of how Bismarck used this to his advantage?
Realpolitik refers to politics or diplomacy based primarily on considerations in notions of realties. Bismarck used this to his advantages because he believed that power was more important then principles. His primary loyalty was to give the Hohenzollerns the power that they deserved. So some of the advantages he told in this to happen was he told money that he collected and used it to profit the army he wanted to win. Bismarck was a nationalist.


6.) What does the famous blood and iron speech represents and how does this further the unification process?
The blood and iron speech represents the devotion Bismarck had to gain the most power- for the state of Germany. He intended to fight all the fights he had to in order to gain a unified and powerful state of Germany. This furthers the unification movement because of how all the states came together to force France off of German lands, so Germany could regain the power they deserved.

7.) How does warfare play a role in the unification process?
Warfare plays a role in the unification process because German States had many different establishments with many different leaderships and armies. So with all this different establishments German States had a number of different weapons used in war. With all this weapons Germany managed to maintain on the top for a very long time. After the unification process the German States came together and were able to defeat other armies until there were finally defeated


8.) How was the new government structured and who help the real power in the new unified state?
The new government was structured by Bismarck. It included the Upper house the lower house and the legislature house. The people who held the real power was the German princes and Emperors.



9.) What economic and industrial advancements does Germany make well after the unification process?
Economic and Industrial advantagments that Germany made well after the unification process included a huge stock of coal and iron. This helped with natural resources. Another thing was population increased and homes (bigger) meant more money and needed more industrial workers. Thought-out the years they opened companies and made a lot of railroads for trading and getting goods faster .

10.) How does nationalism unify the people of the German Staes?
Nationalism unified the people of German States because the people who were in Germany realized that they wanted to branch out and gain the power and strength they deserved. Nationalism helped to show how a person in Germany wanted to live and how they wanted to be seen as others. Nationalism has shown people that the more you try to succeed for something the better chance you get for reaching their goal.